guide to dominican republic

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Guide to
Dominican
Republic
We visit
sites off the
northern,
eastern and
southern
coasts
ST GEORGE
– dive the biggest
wreck in the DR
10
things you MUST
do in the Dominican
Republic
PLUS TOPSIDE ATTRACTIONS FROM THE GENTLE TO EXTREME
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TOP
TEN
THINGSYOU
MUST DO...
1
2
Limon Waterfall is an
awe-inspiring sight
From the editor
The Dominican Republic is a rising star in the Caribbean holiday
scene, with resorts and hotels to suit each and every budget,
fantastic beaches, crystal-clear warm waters, lush swathes of forest
and a climate to die for. So it is a bit bizarre that the nation is not
really known as a diving destination.
Ask about the Dominican Republic in diving circles and you will
generally be met by stony silence. The odd person with a
predilection for cave diving might know about the extensive cave systems which
riddle the country, but otherwise this really is one of the undiscovered gems of the
Caribbean.
However, the locals know what they have, and there are a multitude of dive centres
just waiting to take you out to explore the nation’s walls and reefs. There are even
several artificial reefs, including the 81-metre St George – that is a decent-sized wreck
in anyone’s book.
The Dominican Republic is definitely known for encounters with one of the largest
creatures on the planet – whales. Each year, humpback whales migrate past the
country, and it is possible to join liveaboard trips that let you snorkel with these
social leviathons.
When you aren’t diving, there is plenty to keep you occupied, from the gentle
(museums, chilling on the beach, whale-watching) to the
extreme (kiteboarding, mountain biking, canyoning), plus
plenty in-between.
The Dominican Republic is a great destination for divers
and non-divers alike, so whether you want a relaxing
break, a romantic holiday, a fast-and-frenetic club trip or a Mark Evans,
fun-filled family vacation, this beautiful Caribbean nation is Editor, Sport Diver
sure to deliver.
Photographs by: Dominican Republic Tourist Board, www.aggressor.com and Martyn Farr
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Dive the St George, a wreck that exceeds 80
metres long and is considered the largest sunken
boat in the Dominican Republic. Located off the
East Coast, this is best suited for advanced divers, as
depths range from 24m-36m.
Explore Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican
Republic. If you want history, it is all here – all western
history eventually traces back through the meeting of
two distinctly different cultures way back in 1492 with the
arrival of Columbus.The Ciudad Colonial was even recognised
by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1992.
Chill out on Bahia de la Aquilas, which is
consistently voted the Dominican Republic’s top
beach, boasting over 8km of bone-white sand
lapped by warm turquoise waters.
Marvel at the Limon Waterfall (close to Las Terrenas in
Samana), which is one of the country’s most-amazing
sights.The waterfall cascades its waters 50 metres off a
sheer cliff to an inviting natural pool.A 45-minute hike or a
20-minute horseride will have you admiring this cascade.
3
4
The view from
Pico Duarte
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A chilled-out evening in the
Colonial Zone of Santo Domingo
5
Visit the Larimar Mines and see the miners up
close and personal as they search for the
precious stone, which is only found in these
specific mines and no where else on the planet. You
can even buy some to bring home as a souvenir.
10
Try kiteboarding in Cabarete Bay, the ‘kiteboarding capital of the world’. There are a host of
professional schools just waiting to get you started if you have never given it a go. Let’s be honest,
if you are going to try this extreme sport, this is the place to do it!
Cabarete Bay is the ‘kiteboarding
capital of the world’
Canyoning is great fun
7
6
Go canyoning in the Damajaqua Cascades (27
Waterfalls). It takes an hour-long hike just to get to the
start of the adventure, but coming down is much
quicker, wetter and a lot more fun!
Go whale-watching from Samana. Every year,
more than 50,000 people visit the area to watch
the humpback whales during their mating season
between 15 January and 15 March. These gigantic
mammals come during the winter from the North
Atlantic in order to enjoy the warm waters and give
birth, and they put on a spectacular show for the
watching public.
8
9
Visit Pico Duarte, the Caribbean’s tallest peak at 3,087
metres. It can be reached by several trails that range
from three to seven days, and those who make it to the
top will be rewarded with a spectacular view.
Explore Lago Enriquillo; at 39 metres belowe sea level,
this huge saltwater lake is home to crocodiles. Only a
country as diverse as the Dominican Republic could lay
claim to the highest and lowest points in the Caribbean!
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Introduction to the
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
T
he Dominican Republic is the
second largest nation in the
Caribbean. It shares the island of
Hispaniola, situated between
Puerto Rico and Cuba, with Haiti.
The Dominican Republic occupies the eastern
two-thirds of the island and Haiti occupies the
western portion. To the north is the Atlantic
Ocean and to the south is the Caribbean Sea.
The Dominican Republic enjoys a privileged
tropical, maritime climate. The main annual
temperature ranges from a cool 17 degrees C
to a warm 33 degrees C, primarily in
low-lying areas and along the coast. Although
known as a tropical island, temperatures in
some mountainous regions can dip below the
The Dominican Republic is home to the
highest point in the Caribbean - Pico Duarte,
the 3,087-metre peak of the Cordillera Central,
one of four mountain ranges crossing the
country. It is so high it is often covered in frost
during the winter months.
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freezing mark in the winter months.
The Dominican Republic is geographically
The DR boasts
many wrecks
diverse for its size, having extensive beaches
of white sand, evergreen forests in the
highlands, fertile valleys with exuberant
The DR is
renowned for its
reef diving
vegetation, and even desert zones with dune
formations. Its mineral resources include
nickel, bauxite, gold and silver.
The Dominican Republic is crossed by four
parallel mountain ranges running northwest
to southeast, with fertile valleys in between.
The largest is the Cordillera Central,
extending from northwest of Santo Domingo
into Haiti. The Cordillera Central’s sister peaks
of Pico Duarte, and the slightly smaller La
Pelona, dwarf all the others in the region. The
mountain range is also home to the
Caribbean’s highest savannah forest at 2,286
metres in Valle Nuevo National Park. Along
the north coast is the Cordillera Septentrional.
South of the Cordillera Central are the Sierra
de Neiba and the Sierra de Bahoruco ranges.
Between the Sierra de Neiba and the Sierra de
Bahoruco is Lago Enriquillo, the largest
natural, salt water lake in the country, with
the lowest elevation in the Caribbean islands.
The country is divided into 31 provinces and
a district, in which the capital is located.
Other important cities are Santiago, San Pedro
de Macorís, Puerto Plata and Barahona.
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Sunset in the
Dominican Republic
Dominican Republic diving
Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean and
Caribbean Sea, the Dominican Republic is a
diver’s paradise, with nearly 1,000 miles of
dramatic coastline. Beneath the surface of the
azure, blue seas surrounding the country,
divers are within easy reach of magnificent
reef structures, amazing shipwrecks,
uninhabited islands, mysterious tunnels and
caves, and abundant marine life. Diving and
snorkelling opportunities are never-ending, as
most of the resorts offer courses and tours,
making it easy for visitors to engage in this
underwater one-on-one with Mother Nature.
It's no wonder that the Dominican Republic is
known as one of the best places to dive in the
Caribbean region. With crystal-clear warm
waters (average water temperature is 25-29
degrees C) and vibrantly coloured marine life,
you will never run out of things to discover.
Diving off the north coast along the Atlantic
currents is particularly interesting, as you can
see many unique bays and reefs. Another
unique area is the Samaná Peninsula. Here,
you can dive near high cliffs and coastal
preserves. Divers also enjoy heading down the
east coast near the Mona Passage for an
astounding underwater experience that leads
you to the southwest coast.
If you want to explore this fascinating
underwater world, the Dominican Republic
has many trips and tours that will provide you
with an unforgettable view of the waters
surrounding this beautiful nation. ■
Currency
The currency in the Dominican Republic is the
Dominican Peso (£1 = RD$60.51). However, most
of the hotels and restaurants in the tourist areas
will accept major credit cards and US dollars.
There is the chance you
might encounter whales
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Snorkellers venture close
to a huge humpback whale
NORTH COAST ADRENALINE
RUSH
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A
spectacular region filled with
colourful coral, exciting dives
and rich marine fauna. Sites
like Pared del Aeropuerto (The
Airport) offer memorable dives
with spectacular reef walls and incredible
amounts of tropical fish, while the
‘kiteboarding capital of the world’, Cabarete,
isn’t just widely-known for great watersport
conditions, as it also boasts thrilling cave
adventures for experienced divers.
Beginning divers will also find a plethora of
sites along the DR’s North Coast, as areas like
Sosúa offer shallow waters and sandy
bottoms, particularly in the Puerto Plata
province and the site El Canal. People love to
snorkel here because of its spectacular
colours and wide variety of fish.
From January through March, Samaná is
known for whale sightings, however this
area also offers unmatched caves, tunnels
and reef abysses for divers throughout the
year, specifically at Las Galeras, there is the
Cabo Cabrón, a challenging area that goes
down to more than 36m. Here, there are
large coral landscapes, like Las Tres Puertas
(The Three Doors) and La Piedra (The Stone),
which are formations jutting out from the
sea.
At Las Terrenas you will find Las Tres
Ballenas (The Three Whales), named after
three stones that are covered in beautiful
coral. Divers should also check out El
Frontón, with its beautiful and abundant
marine life that is great for snorkelling.
For those not looking to go very deep, the
Nagua area has Bahoba del Pinal, filled with
marine life and caverns such as Eels and the
Cueva de Lily, or Lily's Cave.
Montecristi, a province to the north west,
has a variety of coral reefs, including many
in the vicinity of Punta Rucia. Here you will
be able to enjoy the reef of Cayo Arena and
the remains of 20 boats, including one of the
Spanish fleet that sunk in 1563.
The best months for diving on the North
Coast are June to September, when the water
is calm and visibility is at its very best.
Regional attractions
Caves:
• El Dudu, located just east of Cabrera - this
site is one of the most popular in the DR,
which includes a freshwater lagoon,
numerous tunnels and depths exceeding
90m.
• Pozo de los Caballos, which can be reached
by going through two wide tunnels after
diving El Dudu, and boasts a maximum
depth of 15m.
• Cueva de Lily, derived from the same
system as El Dudu and Pozo de los Caballeros
- this site is considered a dry cave and is
home to a colony of bats.
• Cueva de Arbol, located less than a mile
away from El Dudu - this cave rests alongside
an impressive sinkhole and averages depths
of 7m.
• El Pantano, a 15-minute walk past Cueva
de Arbol you’ll find this site, literally
translated as Swamp Cave, that features
maximum depths of 18m.
Reefs:
• Las Tres Ballenas, located in Las Terrenas this reef is made up of three beautiful stones
covered in coral and is home to grouper.
• Tibisi, located near Las Galeras - this site
touts a sand bottom, with a depth of over
40m and amazing visibility up to 30 metres.
• Mano de Oro, as one of Rio San Juan’s
most-popular reefs, the area features
gorgeous ocean life and high visibility.
• Seven Colinas, located in Rio San Juan near
Mano de Oro - this area offers an array of
marine life and beautiful waters.
• Pared del Aeropuerto, located alongside the
coast of Sosúa - this site is known for its
swim-through passages and astounding reef
wall.
• Cabo Cabrón, found in Samaná - this site
offers wall diving and the ever-popular The
Tower, a pinnacle that rises from 43m to just
1.5m below the surface.
Shipwrecks:
• Zingara, 36m below the water’s surface this wreck site is frequented by a two-metre
moray eel that has a reputation for surprising
curious divers.
• El Barquito - this small cargo ship is found
near Sosúa and is the habitat for a wide array
of ocean life.
• Las Galeras - this 1960s container ship is
located in the beach town of Las Galeras on
the north side of the Samaná Peninsula and
is inhabited by a colony of big green moray
eels.
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There are caves and
caverns for all levels of
diver certification
EAST
COAST TRUE
ADVENTURE
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As one of the DR’s most-visited destinations due
to the renowned tourist areas of Bávaro and
Punta Cana, the East Coast is well-known for its
long beaches, which contain over 80 miles of
coral reef. Divers also revel in the area’s
freshwater caves and cooler water temperatures,
which make for a very refreshing and
exhilarating experience. With a wealth of marine
life (barracudas, morays and mackerel), the East
Coast boasts the 81-metre St George, the biggest
Crystal-clear waters
and fringing reefs
The shipwrecks are
home to many fish
and crustaceans
sunken ship in the DR, and astounding caves.
Both Catalina Island and Saona Island (National
Park of the East) are diving hot spots, as they
offer high visibility and fantastic places to see
elkhorn corals, coloured sponges, fan corals and
even dolphin sightings. Recently, explorers
discovered the wreck of the Captain Kidd at
4.5m, with more than 20 cannons. In addition,
sites off the coasts of La Romana and Bayahibe
feature exuberant marine life both for diving
and snorkelling – perfect for visitors of all
experience levels.
Sergeant majors
Regional attractions
Caves
Padre Nuestro, just 15 minutes from Bayahibe this freshwater cave includes massive tunnels,
limestone stalagmites and stalactites.
La Jeringa, located in the National Park of the
East - this relatively new site features an
average depth of 14m and is an archaeologist’s
favourite for finding ancient fossils.
El Toro, with impressive stalactites and
stalagmites hanging from the cave’s tunnels
and house-size boulders at every turn - this site
offers an unforgettable dive at 18m below the
water’s surface.
Wrecks
Captain Kidd, resting in less than 4.5m of
seawater - this newly discovered wreckage is
just 21 metres off of the coast of Catalina
Island and features 24 preserved antique
cannons.
St George, nestled between the area’s two
major islands - this wreck exceeds 80 metres
long and is considered the largest sunken boat
in the DR. Best suited for advanced divers, this
site is slightly tilted with depths ranging from
24m-36m.
Astron, just off the coast of Punta Cana - this
ship wreck can be found 15m under the
water’s surface, split in two pieces.
Reefs
The Aquarium, along Catalina Island’s shore
you’ll find 10m of coral reef filled with
toadfish, seahorses and lionfish.
The Wall, located off the coast of Catalina
Island - this coral reef site is considered one of
the most-impressive dives, with black coral,
magnificent marine life and transparent
waters that offers depth and visibility of up to
25m.
The Pool, known as the world’s largest
swimming pool - this shallow reef boasts clear
waters and beautiful marine life, located just
north of Saona Island.
Catalinita, here you will find small lobster,
enormous fan corals, many small caves and a
chance to encounter blacktip sharks and cat
sharks – all at just 18m. ■
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The South Coast is blessed
with some stunning beaches
SOUTH COAST -
SHEER
EXHILARATION
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T
urquoise blue water, excellent
visibility and very little swell
makes this one of the best diving
areas in the Caribbean. These
waters boast illuminating coral,
technicoloured fish and an underwater
national park, in addition to eerie caverns and
tunnels. Home to La Caleta, the underwater
national park, and numerous dive sites near
Boca Chica, the South Coast of the DR is a
diver’s dream, as it offers clear waters and
array of ocean life – well suited for both
beginner and experienced divers.
La Caleta National Park, one of the country’s
premier dive areas located just off the coast of
Santo Domingo, features several noteworthy
shipwrecks and a large reef system. The park
begins at the Cave of the Swallows and
extends to Caucedo Point, with an irregular
topography with three well-defined terraces to
explore.
Very soon, the first underwater museum about
the country will be added to the La Caleta
Park. The underwater museum will feature
submerged sculptures with one section
reflecting native Dominican themes and the
other reflecting religious Dominican themes.
On the coasts of the provinces of Peravia, Azua
and Barahona you will find even more
excitement. In Pedernales, the diving is simply
spectacular and can be accessed from the
beaches of Cabo Rojo (Red Cape) and Bahia de
las Aguilas (Bay of Eagles). These areas are full
of intense colours and lots of marine life. Cabo
Falso (False Cape), another good option, is only
recommended for expert divers because of the
strong underwater currents.
Also in the area is Los Frailes, where you can
go underwater to see a formation of white
rocks shooting up from out of the sea. Around
these rocks, you will be able to see many
different types of fish. Another extraordinary
area surrounds the islands of Beata and Alto
Velo, but again is only recommended to
experienced divers because of its strong
currents.
In short, underwater life along the South Coast
in the Dominican Republic will give you a
unique peek into an underwater world that
you can't find anywhere else.
The Dominican Republic
coastline is picture-perfect
Regional attractions
Caves:
Cueva Taina, located just off the coast of Santo
Domingo - this site is perfect for experienced
divers looking for crystal-clear, warm waters,
breathtaking rock formations, stalactites,
stalagmites and a stunning halocline at 15m.
El Tildo, this cave site, located near Santo
Domingo, features a pronounced halocline,
stalactites and three different entrances.
Jardines Orientales, found in Santo Domingo,
this cave is recommended for expert divers as
it boasts difficult access and dark, dangerous
turns.
Wrecks
Hickory, located in La Caleta National Park,
this 40-metre transport freighter lies at 18m
below the water’s surface in the middle of a
nicely composed coral reef. It was sunk in
1984 as an artificial reef.
Limón, 18m below lies a 35-metre tug boat
that’s considered the area’s most
well-preserved wreck, also located in La Caleta
National Park.
Capitan Alsina, angled on the reef at 40m, this
ship is one of the deepest of all La Caleta
National Park’s wrecks.
Don Quico, resting in a sandy area about 60m
below La Caleta National Park water’s edge,
this site is recommended for deep range or
technical divers. This ship is incredibly
impressive, as it sits completely intact at the
bottom of the sea and has safe access on all
sides.
El Catuán, located off the coast of Boca Chica,
is also incredibly intact with easy access on all
sides. At 18m deep, this wreck combines
mystery, green morays, lionfish and
crystal-clear waters – excellent conditions for
photographers.
Reefs
Seven Coconut Shrubs, named for the seven
coconut trees on the coast facing this area this illustrious reef lies near Santo Domingo.
At 15m visitors will find healthy coral life and
prawns at every turn.
Dominican Bahamas, located near Santo
Domingo - this reef gets its nickname from the
wildlife that is so similar to the Bahamas, like
sea turtles and barracuda. It ranges from
depths of 18-36m.
El Tiringo, found just off the coast of Santo
Domingo - this site features a natural
environment for breeding stingray and
American eagle ray.
El Hoyo, located just 200 metres west of Don
Quico - this site looks like a Dominican
Republic version of the Grand Canyon,
reaching a massive 67m deep. A diverse range
of marine life is found here in different types
and sizes, including sea bass, snapper and
many more.
El Aquario, ideal for beginners - this area is
home to an amazing amount of fish species
that are very comfortable around divers, as the
site offers clear, shallow waters.
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Horseback riding
through the
Dominican Republic
Other things to do in the
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
A
s well as scuba diving and
snorkelling, there are a multitude of
other attractions and activities to
keep visitors occupied. If you want
to get your adrenaline pumping,
then a canyoning trip is sure to get your heart
racing. One of the most-popular trips takes in the
Damajaqua Cascades (27 Waterfalls), a series of
waterfalls about 45 minutes from Cabarete or 25
minutes from Puerto Plata. In order to enjoy the
canyoning adventure, you hike up the mountain
for about an hour until you reach the falls and
work your way back down the river by jumping
and sliding through pools of water - this can be
challenging so you shouldn't have any fear of
jumping from three to six metre falls.
Cabarete is a small, vibrant beach town known
for its beachfront bars and restaurants. It is also
the Dominican Republic’s mecca for watersports,
where you’ll find a host of professional schools
who teach surfing, kitesurf and windsurf.
Santo Domingo is far more than just the capital
of the Dominican Republic. It is where the New
World started. For over five centuries, it has
boasted its title as the ‘First City in the Americas’.
All of western history eventually traces back
through the meeting of two distinctly different
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cultures here one day in 1492.
History buffs will not be disappointed. That's
because Santo Domingo has an impressive
display of historic monuments that document
the earth-shattering event that happened over
500 years ago. It stands as a testament to both
the Spanish, Taíno, and African influences that
still shape the Dominican Republic today.
The historical significance of this incredible city
has not gone unnoticed. In 1992, the Ciudad
Colonial (Spanish for ‘Colonial City’) was
recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Ciudad Colonial is part of the original Santo
Domingo, and the origin of the district dates back
to the 1500s. The district is located in the west
corner of the Ozama River, which bisects the city.
The district today covers less than 5 square
kilometres and contains many museums and
other historic buildings documenting the
Caribbean's earliest history.
In 2009, Santo Domingo even received the
distinction of being named the American Capital
of Culture for 2010 by the International Bureau
of Capitals of Culture.
The Alcazar de Colon in Santo Domingo was
built by Christopher Columbus' son between
1510 and 1514. This restored building was one of
the first structures built in the oldest remaining
European city in the Americas, and is the oldest
Viceregal residence in America. The building
houses the Museo Alcázar de Diego Colón, whose
collection exhibits the Caribbean's
most-important ensemble of European late
medieval and Renaissance works of art, which
were acquired in the 1950s. The tapestry
collection (spanning from the 15th to 17th
centuries) is particularly important and unique in
the Caribbean, and includes pieces produced by
the Flemish Van Den Hecke family from
cartouches created by Charles Le Brun. The
Alcázar is the most visited museum in Santo
Domingo. The Cathedral of Santo Domingo, the
first cathedral in the Americas, is known for its
dramatic architecture.
The interior of the Alcazar de
Colon
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The Damajaqua
Cascades are a
stunning sight
HOT
SPOTS
East and South East
Isla Saona is the number-one tourist
excursion in the Dominican Republic - a
beautiful island with quintessential tropical
beaches and palm trees.
Cueva de la Maravillas is a beautiful cave
system, well-maintained for visitors, with
Taino drawings.
Playa Blanca in Punta Cana is a stunning
white sand public beach popular with
kiteboarders and anyone looking to relax.
Playa Esmeralda is the East Coast’s
most-secluded and virgin tropical beach.
Cueva Fun Fun is an immense cave system
with underground rivers. ■
South Central
Playa Juan Dolio is a small beach town
with kilometres of shoreline.
Playa Guayacanes is a tiny fishing town
with quaint beaches and restaurants. -Playa
Boca Chica is the ‘city beach’ known for its
calm waters and fried fish.
Santo Domingo is the cultural capital of the
Dominican Republic; home to the first
hospital, monastery, paved road, stone
home, university and church of the new
world. Parque Nacional los Haitises is a real
trek into the wilderness. The Parque
Nacional los Haitises is home to mangrove
forests, trails, marine life and secluded
beaches. ■
South West
Lago Enriquillo is a saltwater lake home to
crocodiles and friendly iguanas.
Larimar Mines offers an up-close experience
to see miners searching for the precious
stone only found in these specific mines
and nowhere else on earth.
Playa San Rafael has radiant waters and a
small natural swimming hole with music
and fresh seafood.
Hoyo de Pelempito is the Dominican
Republic’s version of the Grand Canyon.
Bahia de la Aguilas is hands down the
Dominican Republic’s top beach - 8km of
bone-white sand and turquoise waters with
no-one around. ■
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White-water rafting
down the Yaque del
Sur river
Other things to do in the
DOMINICAN
REPUBLIC
L
aguna de Oviedo (Lake Oviedo) is a
small saltwater lake with more than 40
islets, and each of these is refuge for
birds such as gulls, pelicans and pink
flamingos. The Cayo de las Iguanas, in
the middle of the lake, is the place to see two
types of iguana, the rhinoceros iguana and the
ricord iguana. Although large and impressive,
these iguanas are completely harmless.
Travelling northeast from Laguna de Oviedo, the
ocean-side highway towards the town of
Barahona offers the most photo-inspiring
seascapes of the Dominican Republic. Along this
highway, visitors can stop at the popular beaches
of San Rafael and Los Patos. Both beaches boast
radiant blue waters, as well as natural swimming
pools of fresh, cool water with vendors selling
seafood and cold beers. Above San Rafael is the
Cachote Cloud Forest, where a short 20km drive
up the mountain will drop the temperature about
12 degrees C and have visitors in the middle of a
community forest reserve - excellent for
birdwatching, horseback riding and hiking.
The Malecon, in the captial city of Santo
Domingo, is a waterfront boulevard (George
Washington Avenue) that is home to several huge
hotel/casino complexes and dozens of small
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restaurants, clubs and cafes. Go there to people
watch, take a romantic carriage ride or just have a
few beers. It is the site of many festivals and
concerts throughout the year. Parallel to the
Malecon you will find Avenida Independencia, a
tree-lined street full of shops, bed and breakfasts
and affordable restaurants with a nice mix of
locals and tourists.
Santa Bárbara de Samaná, or simply Samaná, is a
city and municipality in northeastern Dominican
Republic, capital of the Samaná Province. It is
located on the northern coast of Samaná Bay The
city is an important tourism destination and is
the main centre for whale-watching tours. More
than 50,000 people visit Samaná each year to
watch the humpback whales during their mating
season between 15 January and 15 March. These
mammals come during the winter from the
North Atlantic in order to enjoy the warm waters
and give birth. There have been times when up
to 300 whales have been counted in the area.
If you want to take things a little easier, there are
several ranches around the Dominican Republic
where you can go on a gentle horse ride around
the stunning countryside.
The Dominican Republic is home to the largest
handmade cigar factory in the world, the
Tabacalera de Garcia, based in La Romana. This
factory produces some of the world’s finest cigars
- Montecristo, Romeo y Julieta, H. Upmann, Don
Diego, Santa Damiana, VegaFina and Onyx,
among others – and employs more than 4,000
people.
East of Tabacalera de Garcia is Altos de Chavon, a
vibrant cultural community of shops, art galleries,
studios and restaurants; all of which was designed
to resemble a 15th century southern Italian
village.
If you want to see some
spectacular views, then a trip
in the cable car up the Isabel de
Torres hill overlooking Puerto Plata is a
must. Or for something even more exciting, how
about a helicopter tour to get an aerial view?
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GUIDE TO
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
HOT SPOTS
Central
North and North West
North East
Jarabacoa offers white-water rafting along
the Yaque del Sur River and intense
mountain biking excursions.
Jimenoa waterfall requires a 30-minute trek
down the mountain. Jimenoa cascades 75
metres from an underground water tunnel
and creates a natural swimming pool with
cool water.
Pico Duarte is the Caribbean’s highest peak
at 3,087 metres, and it is a challenging hike
that can be done via various routes that
range from three to seven days.
Constanza is a gorgeous mountain town at
an altitude of 1,300 metres. Located in a
fertile valley, Constanza is a great town to
enjoy fresh produce or sit back by a
fireplace at night.
Valle Nuevo is also known as the ‘Mother of
the Waters’, and is a national park where
more than 400 rivers are born. Home to
cold temperatures (sometimes reaching
freezing in winter months) and the highest
waterfall in the Caribbean, Aguas Blancas,
cascading 150 metres. ■
Cabarete is the watersport capital of the
Dominican Republic for surfing,
kiteboarding and windsurfing, Cabarete
also has a great nightlife scene and
kilometres of shoreline.
Puerto Plata is a charming city with old
colonial homes, a famous amber museum,
the Brugal Rum Factory and a chairlift to
the Mount Isabel de Torres.
27 Charcos de Damajagua is a great
adventure where visitors plunge into the
pools of 27 different waterfalls.
Ocean World is a world-class marine park
with dolphins, nurse sharks, stingrays,
tigers and sea lions; one of the top
attractions throughout the country.
Playa Punta Rucia is the gem of the North
Coast, this beach is secluded and stunning.
Visitors can also take a boat excursion to
the popular Cayo Arena, a small reef island
in the middle of the ocean with excellent
snorkelling and coral diving. ■
Cayo Levantado is the original Bacardi
Island. Cayo Levantado was used for the
rum company’s famous commercials of the
quintessential Caribbean beach.
Playa Rincon is one of the Dominican
Republic’s top three beaches; awe inspiring
and well worth the trip.
Salto del Limon is an immensely beautiful
cascading waterfall, which requires a
45-minute hike on foot. Visitors can also
choose to arrive on horseback.
Las Terrenas is the Dominican Republic’s
liveliest small beach town. Las Terrenas is
surrounded by beautiful beaches and has
plenty of options for dining and nightlife.
Reserva Cientifica Loma Quita Espuela is
the largest rainforest in the Dominican
Republic. Visitors can tour the rainforest
and see the cultivation of cacao and the
protected forest’s natural beauty. ■
The cable car ride up
the Isabel de Torres
hill offers
spectacular views
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GUIDE TO
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
DIVE CENTRES
EAST COAST
CASA DANIEL SWISS DIVING SCHOOL
Casa Daniel, Bayahibe
Tel: (001) 809 833 0050
Web: www.casa-daniel.com
DRESSEL DIVERS CLUB
Bayahibe - Iberostar Hacienda, PADI Gold
Palm Resort & National Geographic Dive
Center. Punta Cana/Bavaro - Iberostar
Bavaro Resort, PADI Gold Palm Resort &
National Geographic Dive Center
Web: www.Dresseldivers.com
BLUE ZONE SPORT / TRAVEL PROMARINE
Punta Cana - Hotel Catalonia Bavaro
Beach Golf
Tel: (001) 809 412 000
MARIANA CARIBBEAN SPORTS DIVING
WORLD SA
Punta Cana - Barcelo Premium
Punta Cana
Tel: (001) 809 476 7777
Web: www.mariana-net.com
NEPTUNO BAVARO
Punta Cana - Hotel IFA Villas Bavaro
Tel: (001) 809 221 8555
Web: www.neptunobavaro.com
PELICANO WATERSPORT
Punta Cana - Hotel LTI Punta Cana
Tel: (001) 809 476 2326
Web: www.pelicanosport.com
PUNTA CANA DIVE CENTER
Punta Cana - Punta Cana Beach Resort,
PADI Gold Palm Resort
Tel: (001) 809 959 2262
PUNTA CANA SCUBA DIVING
Punta Cana - Club Med
Tel: (001) 809 299 3182
SCUBACARIBE
Bayahibe - Casa del Mar, PADI Gold Palm
Resort. National Geographic Dive Center
Punta Cana - Melia Tropical, Natura Park,
Sunscape Resort, Bahia Principe, Bavaro
Beach Resort and Paradisus Hotel, all
PADI Gold Palm Resorts. All Riu Hotels.
Web: www.scubacaribe.com
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SCUBAFUN S.A.
Bayahibe
Web: www.scubafun.info
VIVA DIVING
Bayahibe - Club Dominicus, PADI Gold
Palm Resort
Tel: (001) 809 686 5658
Web: www.vivadiving.com
SEA PRO, SA
Punta Cana
Web: www.seaprodivers.com
NORTH EAST COAST
STELLINA DIVING
Las Terrenas
Tel: (001) 809 868 4415
Web: www.StellinaDiving.com
PIRATES COVE DIVE CENTER
Samana
Tel: (001) 809 526 1970
Web: www.piratescovedivecenter.com
NORTH COAST
AQUA CENTER
Sosua
Tel: (001) 809 801 5000
Web: www.Aqua-center.com
DOLPHIN DIVE CENTER
Cabarete/Sosua, PADI 5 Star IDC
Tel: (001) 809 571 0842
Web: www.dolphindivecenter.com
DRESSEL DIVERS CLUB
Puerto Plata - Iberostar Costa Dorada,
PADI Gold Palm Resort & National
Geographic Dive Center
Web: www.dresseldivers.com
FAT CAT
Sosua
Tel: (001) 809 586 1392
Web: www.fatcat-diving.com
FIRST CLASS DIVERS
Confresi - Sun Village Resort and
Hacienda, PADI Gold Palm Resorts
Tel: (001) 809 970 7622
Web: www.first-class-divers.com
HIPPOCAMPO DIVE CENTRE
Sosua
Tel: (001) 809 915 9135
Web: www.hippocampo.com
IGUANA MAMA
Cabarete
Tel: (001) 809 571 0908
Web: www.iguanamama.com
NORTHERN COAST AQUASPORTS, SA
Sosua, Puerto Plata
Tel: (001) 809 571 1028
Web: www.northerncoastdiving.com
SCUBACARIBE
Puerto Plata - Riu Hotel
Tel: (001) 809 320 1016
Web: www.scubacaribe.com
SEA PRO, SA
Puerto Plata - Playa Dorada Hotel
Tel: (001) 809 320 2607
Web: www.seaprodivers.com
SOUTH CENTRAL COAST
GOLDEN ARROW TECHNICAL DIVING
CENTER
Santo Domingo
Tel: (001) 809 566 7780
Web: www.CaveDiving.com.do
NEPTUNO DIVE CENTER
Juan Dolio – Barcelo Capella, PADI
5 Star IDC
Tel: (001) 809 526 2005
Web: www.Neptunodive.com
SEA PRO, SA
Boca Chica - Hotel Hamaca
Tel: (001) 809 523 4611
Web: www.seaprodivers.com
TREASURE DIVERS
Boca Chica - Don Juan Beach Resort
Tel: (001) 809 523 5320
Web: www.treasure-divers.eu
GUS DIVE CENTER
Tel: (001) 809 566 0818
Web: www.gusdivecenter.com